A/N: Hi All! A thank you to viola1701e, takingflight4, jacpin2002, and decadenceohmysoul for commenting on the last chapter! I really so appreciate it.
Disclaimer; I do not own Harry Potter
As always, enjoy!
Chapter 6
Hermione gazed at the different wizards and witches in the room. She was glad to see Narcissa there, and even though she was still on whatever side her husband and son were on, it was nice to have someone she could almost confide in.
"All of you want to hear me out?" Hermione said, "Now?"
Riddle gave a stern nod but said nothing.
"Fine." Hermione huffed, "In that case, what do your followers know about Horcruxes?"
The air in the room became stagnant, and Hermione basked in how uncomfortable the Death Eaters all were. It also meant they all knew about what Riddle had done, and what was happening now.
She smiled.
"We know plenty," Bellatrix hissed, "what does the Golden Girl know about them?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Well… we know that Riddle used magic numbers when making his… three… seven… all magic numbers."
Hermione was almost giddy at the confusion in the room. She had the upper hand, and she loved it.
"Yes, yes," Riddle said, waving his hand in the air, "granted I ended up with eight soul fragments, but even three is too many."
Hermione looked right into Riddle's eyes, "how about thirteen?" Hermione said, "Are thirteen too many? Or are they simply not enough."
"Thirteen?" Someone, Nott Sr. Hermione guessed judging by his coloring, spoke up.
"Can you imagine how deprived someone had to be at that point," Hermione said, her eyes narrowing in onto Bellatrix and Lucius.
Riddle stood, his magic crackled around him, causing Hermione to shiver. He narrowed his eyes at the young witch, seemingly trying to dissipater what she was saying, but Hermione remained aloof.
"Are you saying that Dumbledore has thirteen Horcruxes?" Riddle hissed, his magic sparking brighter.
"Had," Hermione said, "we're down a few, but that doesn't mean much does it."
"So what," Lucius sneered, "you want us to help destroy then so your once righteous leader is righteous once again."
Hermione shrugged, "if someone had more than nine Horcruxes, their soul can't be repaired. So maybe instead of talking about a topic, you don't know about, you can listen."
Silence settled in the room one again, but Hermione already knew how Riddle was leaning. He would take her offer for a treaty, and when Harry, Ron, and Bill were on their mission, they would meet.
"What happens if I agree to meet with Potter?" Riddle asked, sitting once again in his plush chair.
"Then you meet," Hermione said, "anything that happens after depends on the conversation at hand…"
Riddle nodded, "Then set up the meeting—"
"But," Hermione interrupted, "I want a magical vow ensuring no harm will come to Harry, Ron, or Bill once they get here, after that… I have some more information that you might want."
Several of the Death Eaters protested, but Hermione stood her ground. Riddle outstretched his arm and commanded Snape to bind the vow.
Once that was done, and the magic in the room calmed, Hermione looked to a random Death Eater, tossing a quill towards him.
"Write these names down," Hermione said, "Caradoc Dearborn, Dedalus Diggle, Elphias Doge, Benjy Fenwick, Mundungus Fletcher, and Sturgis Podmore."
Bellatrix's eyebrows furrowed in familiarity, "I know those names," she said, "all members of the original Order. Most of them are dead."
"You're right," Hermione said, glancing at the witch, "for the most part. They're all alive, all six of them work very closely with Dumbledore… His lieutenants. They help get most of his dirty work done."
"And why would you tell us this?" Narcissa asked.
Hermione sighed, she caressed her small bump softly, "Because I want them dead, too."
"If this treaty goes well, you'll have their heads if that's what you want," Riddle said with a nod.
Hermione smiled widely; she pulled out her wand and summoned her Patronus. The otter swam around the room; it's curiosity causing it to drift towards the other people in the room, bouncing happily when it saw Narcissa. The otter swam around Narcissa several times, causing the older witch to laugh.
"It's nice to see you again, too," Narcissa said with a broad smile to the silvery creature.
The otter went back to Hermione, who whispered her message, "Riddle has agreed."
With a final bounce, and a wave to Riddle, the otter swam out of the room. Hermione stood in the room silently, her hands clasped in front of her as she waited. Minutes later, a large stag came gracefully galloping into the room, bowing entirely to Hermione before the message played in her head. Hermione winced at the sudden bright light that filled the room.
"Three days. We have a gift they will appreciate. Initials T.T.N. Alive."
Hermione's brows furrowed, and she bowed back at the stag, watching it disappear.
"Well?" Riddle said.
Hermione blinked, letting her eyes adjust. "Three days." Hermione said, "They'll be here in three days… they also have a gift."
Narcissa Malfoy stepped forward before everyone could be riled up, accusing Harry of already breaking the vow. "A gift?"
Hermione nodded, "who's initials are T.T.N?"
Nott Sr.'s breathing hitched, he paled so much so that Hermione was worried he would pass out. Snape grasped the older man's elbow when his legs collapsed under him. The Potion's Master helped Nott Sr. onto the ground as he gasped for breath.
"Miss. Granger!" Snape snapped, "I would imagine that you would be more sympathetic."
"I— I don't understand." Hermione said to Snape, then she turned to Narcissa who's jaw was tight, "What did I say?"
"He's dead, Miss. Granger," Narcissa whispered, "he was captured right after the battle, they sent us back his leg two weeks ago. They sent a letter with it saying the rest of him was scattered around Europe."
Hermione's eyebrows furrowed, her eyes landing on the grieving man. Hermione walked up to the man and knelt ignorant of him. His eyes were bloodshot, large tears clinging to his lashes.
Hermione grasped his shaking hands, "He's alive," she whispered, "he's alive, and they're bringing him home."
Nott Sr. looked into the brunette witches eyes looking for deception, but when he found none, he wrapped his arms around Hermione's shoulders, holding her close as he sobbed, saying his son's name over and over.
"We have three days," Hermione said, looking up to Riddle, still holding the other Death Eater.
.:: ::.
The three days flew by in a blur. As soon as people knew that Harry was sowing up with a living Theodore Nott, there was a new fire in the Manor Hermione had yet to witness.
Pansy Parkinson had approached Hermione a day after the news broke, asking if it was true then throwing herself at Hermione for a very long and uncomfortable hug.
Hermione couldn't say she didn't appreciate it, but it did drive her barmy when other Death Eaters started greeting her.
Not that she wanted to avoid them… but she was trying to avoid them.
They may have been excited that the tides were changing. However, a particular anxiousness still hungover Hermione, so instead of readying herself for the arrival of her best friends, she spent time preparing for if things went completely sideways.
It was sundown on the day of when Ron's Patronus barked its way to Hermione, sniffing her and chasing its tail.
They were close.
Seven Death Eaters, excluding Narcissa, Riddle, and Hermione, stood outside, waiting for the first sign of the three wizards. Nott Sr was not allowed to remain with them; Riddle feared that it would compromise the situation.
The sun was just below the horizon when Zabini announced that he could see lights from his spot on his broom high above Malfoy Manor. Hermione's heart stopped. She dropped her wand and bolted the moment she saw the three Lumos lights on beyond the trees.
She could hear someone scream after her, but she didn't listen.
The lights got closer and closer, and suddenly hope surged back into Hermione as she called out the names of her friends.
"Ron!" She screamed, "Harry!"
She felt something substantial stop her, warm, strong arms wrapping around her as she tried to catch her breath. Time stood still, and neither noticed that Riddle and several Death Eaters followed Hermione closely behind.
"Merlin, 'Mione," Ron's loud voice said, "you're out of shape."
Hermione looked up to the redhead with watery eyes, a broad smile on her face, "I've missed you."
A black eyepatch hid Ron's damaged eye from the world, his red fringe hiding his forehead and top of the patch.
"I've missed you, too, 'Mione," Ron smiled, then fell to his knees and talked to the brunette's stomach. "Did you miss me? Did you miss Uncle Ron?" Ron put his hand against Hermione's belly, his eyes widening at the slight swell. "Harry, Look!" Ron pulled Hermione's shirt back, bunching it tightly, so her stomach was on display, "That's my niece in there."
Harry walked up to the pair with a broad smile at the sight of the bushy-haired witch, "You mean nephew."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "you two are still on this?"
"Yes," Harry and Ron said at the same time.
Ron stood, and his eyes darkened when he looked over Hermione's shoulder. Harry straightened as well, rising to his full height, his breathing becoming controlled.
"Riddle," Harry said with a bow of the head.
"Potter," the older wizard replied. He looked around then raised his eyebrow, "we thought there would be more of you."
Ron pulled Hermione behind him, using himself as a shield for the witch. "We wanted to make sure that everything was safe… we do after all have an injured wizard with us." Ron stated, he turned around and cupped his mouth with his hands, "Aye! Bill, we're clear!"
Hermione's heart soared as she saw the oldest Weasley sibling walk out of the shade of the forest. He moved on the bumpy terrain carefully, cradling an unconscious Theodore Nott to his chest.
Blaise Zabini flew to the older Weasley, two other Death Eaters ran behind him, trying to take the brunet boy from his arms. Bill recoiled, holding the boy tighter to him.
One of the Death Eaters pulled out their wand, "give me the boy."
"I can't," Bill said, his lips pulled back, exposing his teeth, "I made a promise, and I don't intend on breaking it."
Zabini landed and watched his friend with wide eyes, "He's so still."
"He's been dosed with Dreamless Sleep," Bill said, "we wanted to make sure that he was calm during travel."
Zabini nodded, turning to Riddle, who was watching the interaction with interest, "Let's all go inside."
Hermione nodded, taking Harry and Ron's hands. They were like ice, but Hermione would question them about that later; first, they needed to get back to shelter.
Harry and Ron watched everyone like they were about to pull out their wands and declare that the treaty was over before it began. Hermione was sandwiched between the two, trying not to smile at the memories that came to her.
They reached the manor — the warming charms woven into the walls, immediately warming the group. Hermione heard Harry groan as the heat thawed his frozen body.
"What's wrong with him?" Snape asked Bill, nodding to the sleeping brunet.
"Well," Bill began, "his leg was amputated. Dumbledore wanted us to kill him, but I took him to a safe house he doesn't know about instead. Fleur—er— my wife— was able to stabilize him... she's not a healer, but she tried her best. He's been with us since."
Snape nodded, his eyes narrowed in contemplation, "I'll escort you upstairs, find you a room to set him down. I'm sure his father would want to see him."
Bill looked to Hermione, who nodded, trying to convey with her eyes that this place was safe, that they were safe.
Snape disappeared with Bill in toe, and she felt Ron's hand tighten in hers.
Riddle led the group into the drawing-room, instructing some of the Death Eaters to leave. Hermione's breathing hitched. This was the one room she had been avoiding in the two weeks she had been there. She tried to control her breathing, reminding herself that panicking would not help the situation.
Riddle sat in the only armchair in the room, motioning Harry and Ron to sit across from him. Two-thirds of the Golden Trio looked at each other, and pulled Hermione onto the couch with them, flanking her on the comfortable, but the ancient, lounge.
Lucius, Narcissa, and Bellatrix stood behind their Lord, standing proudly.
"So," Riddle said, "you're here."
"We are," Harry said.
"Then," Riddle said, crossing his ankle on his knee, "let's talk."
Nagini, who slithered not the room after Riddle had finished with his dramatics, she curled at Hermione's feet, her eyes trained on Riddle.
There was no doubt about how this conversation would swing.
Hermione smiled a smug smile.